Seeley Swan to Welcome

Seeley Ranger District planning
several prescribed burns this year

Seeley Swan PathfinderApril 23, 1998

The USDA, Forest Service, Seeley Lake Ranger District, will be conducting
prescribed burns in several locations this year. These burns will take place
in the following drainages: Lower Monture Creek, Cave Creek, Dunham Creek,
First Creek, Clearwater River, Richmond Creek, Camp creek and the west side
of Boy Scout Road.

The goals of these prescribed burns are twofold: 1) to lessen the amount
of woody fuel and lower the threat of wildfire; and 2) to create areas of
reduced ground cover to and in natural and artificial regeneration. The
burns near Cave Creek are being burned to promote better wildlife habitat
and forage opportunities by rejuvenating grasses and removing the undergrowth.

These burns will take place from late April to the first snowfall in
the fall. A unit will be ignited when weather and burning conditions are
favorable.

There could be smoke pooling in the valley during early morning hours
but should lift or disperse when the sun warms the valley bottom. Most of
the smoke should rise to higher elevations and disperse to the northeast.

The units will be ignited using one of two different methods; a hand-held
drip torch or a heli-torch suspended from a helicopter. The units will be
monitored until all fire is out.

For further information, contact the Seeley Lake Ranger District office
at 677-2233.